Close X
Sunday, October 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

As ASEAN Summit wraps, Trudeau says Canada needs to keep showing up in Southeast Asia

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Oct, 2024 09:50 AM
  • As ASEAN Summit wraps, Trudeau says Canada needs to keep showing up in Southeast Asia

Canada needs to keep up its presence in Southeast Asia if it wants to benefit from the region's economic boom, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday as he wrapped up his visit to Laos. 

Trudeau participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit this week, marking the third consecutive time he's attended the annual meeting.

The prime minister said pursuing bonds with ASEAN members is not about political ideology or leaving a government footprint, but rather it's about acknowledging the economic opportunities in the region.

But to benefit from what Southeast Asia has to offer, Trudeau said Canadians need to make their presence felt in the region.

"That's really a big piece of the challenge, making sure that we are showing up," Trudeau said in a news conference on Friday.

"Showing up as leader, yes, but more importantly, showing up as businesses on trade missions, building those connections, making the investments in more maritime security presence and defence presence, making more investments in upgrading embassies and opening trade offices."

Trudeau announced during the visit that Canada is upgrading its diplomatic missions in Vientiane, Laos, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia to full embassies.

He also announced a $128-million package of funding at the summit, with the majority of the money going toward environmental protection and combating climate change. 

The visit to Laos comes as Canada works toward a free-trade deal with the 10-nation bloc and a separate deal with Indonesia, which both countries are aiming to sign by the end of the year.

ASEAN countries together represented Canada's fourth-largest trading partner last year, and trade with the region has nearly doubled since 2015.

The visit also builds on the Liberal government's Indo-Pacific strategy, which set out a road map to strengthen military and economic relationships in the region and counterbalance the influence of China.

Canada's efforts are part of a larger Western push for stronger economic and political relationships with southeast Asian countries, largely to reduce reliance on Chinese goods.

Countries in the region have their own concerns related to China, including ongoing disputes over the South China Sea.

The ASEAN summit followed a series of violent confrontations at sea between China and ASEAN members Philippines and Vietnam, which have fuelled concerns that China's assertive actions could spiral into a full-scale conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told southeast Asian leaders at the summit on Friday that the U.S. is concerned about China's "increasingly dangerous and unlawful" activities, and pledged the U.S. will continue to uphold freedom of navigation in the vital sea trade route.

When asked about the escalation, Trudeau said Canada wants to see international law respected. 

"These are things that we abide by — and not just stand by on paper, but we demonstrate that every time we send a Coast Guard vessel or a military (Canadian Armed Forces) ship through the South China Sea. It is international waters and needs to be open for all navigation," he said.

MORE National ARTICLES

B & E suspect ID needed

B & E suspect ID needed
Mounties in West Kelowna are asking the public for help in identifying the suspect in a break-and-enter at a home earlier this month. R-C-M-P say it happened when the homeowners were out for a walk, and while their adult daughter and her child were in the basement.

B & E suspect ID needed

Cause of water main break that flooded Montreal neighbourhood remains unclear: mayor

Cause of water main break that flooded Montreal neighbourhood remains unclear: mayor
The mayor of Montreal says the cause of a major water main break Friday morning near the city's Jacques Cartier Bridge remains unknown. Valérie Plante says 50 buildings were flooded when millions of litres of water erupted onto city streets, and 16 households have asked the Red Cross for emergency housing.

Cause of water main break that flooded Montreal neighbourhood remains unclear: mayor

Joly announces $1M to help stem mpox in Africa as Liberals craft continental plan

Joly announces $1M to help stem mpox in Africa as Liberals craft continental plan
The funding will go to the World Health Organization as it tries to contain the spread of the virus formerly known as monkeypox, which has been spreading rapidly across Africa. Joly is visiting a vaccination co-ordination centre in Ivory Coast, ahead of a visit to South Africa for two days starting Wednesday.

Joly announces $1M to help stem mpox in Africa as Liberals craft continental plan

Motorcyclist dies in collision

Motorcyclist dies in collision
A motorcyclist has died after colliding with a light standard in Abbotsford. Police say they were called to the intersection of Golden Avenue and Trethewey Street on Saturday at 3:30 p-m and the motorcyclist died from his injuries.

Motorcyclist dies in collision

Man changed with murder a year after Sicamous death: police

Man changed with murder a year after Sicamous death: police
Mounties say a man has been charged more than a year after a body was found on a rural property in south central B.C. A statement from police says the body of Wayne Sirvio was discovered at a home in Sicamous on Aug. 5, 2023, three days after he was reported missing.

Man changed with murder a year after Sicamous death: police

B.C.'s Shetland Creek wildfire, which destroyed multiple homes, now considered 'held'

B.C.'s Shetland Creek wildfire, which destroyed multiple homes, now considered 'held'
The large wildfire that destroyed multiple homes in British Columbia's southern Interior last month is now considered "held." BC Wildfire Service says the 280-square-kilometre Shetland Creek wildfire is not likely to spread further, but crews still have hard work ahead.

B.C.'s Shetland Creek wildfire, which destroyed multiple homes, now considered 'held'